regressive
UK[rɪˈɡresɪv]US[rɪˈɡresɪv]
adj
Returning to a former or less developed state; characterized by regression.
adj
(Of a tax) taking a proportionally greater amount from people on lower incomes.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
gress
ive
re
back/again
gress
step/walk
ive
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word "regressive" is built upon the Latin verb regredi, meaning "to go back" or "to return," which itself is a compound of the prefix re- ("back") and the verb gradi ("to step, walk"). The past participle stem gress- was combined with the adjectival suffix -ivus to form the Late Latin regressivus. Entering English in the 17th century, it literally describes the action of "stepping back." This concrete motion evolved into the modern abstract sense of reverting to an earlier, often less advanced, condition or pattern. The specific application to taxation, where the burden moves "backward" onto the less wealthy, emerged from this core concept of reversal.
Analysis
Structure: re (back/again) + gress (step/walk) + ive (adjective suffix)
re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "back" or "again."
gress: Latin origin (from the verb gradi, past participle gressus), meaning "to step" or "to walk."
ive: Latin suffix -ivus, used to form adjectives meaning "tending to" or "performing the action of."
Examples
The policy was criticized as a regressive step for social equality.
A sales tax is often considered a regressive form of taxation.
Under stress, he exhibited regressive behavior, acting much like a child.